On January 8th and 9th, our Grade 5 students took part in their Overnight Stay program. Based at the Ishikawa Youth Nature Center, they enjoyed hiking Mt. Ishikawa, a campfire, and even cooking curry together, all while spending time in nature.

This overnight program had three important goals.

1. The first was to deepen the children’s understanding of nature and nurture a sense of respect for the natural environment through hands-on experiences.

2. The second was to develop social skills, such as cooperation and empathy, by staying and working together as a group.

3. The third was to foster independence and a sense of responsibility by spending time away from their families.

During the hike up Mt. Ishikawa, my role was to wait near the trail entrance with a car, ready to respond quickly in case any child felt unwell or was injured. I must admit, I waited with a bit of nervousness, keeping an eye on my phone. However, it never rang even once. When the children finally appeared at the descent point, I felt great relief. Seeing every child return safely—some even skipping down the trail with big smiles on their faces—made it clear just how much fun they had.

Throughout the two days, the children also showed great kindness and consideration toward me. When I happened to be alone for a moment, they would come and say, “Principal, let’s play a game together!” At mealtimes, even in a very limited space, they made room for me and naturally included me as part of their group. These small but heartfelt gestures meant a great deal to me.

Being surrounded by the warmth and kindness of our AMICUS children made these two days truly joyful and meaningful for me as well. I believe that through this experience, the children came to understand one another better, and that the bonds of friendship within the class and grade grew even stronger.

Before the overnight stay, they were “AMICUS students” to me. By the end of it, however, I found myself feeling as though they were my own grandchildren, and it became strangely hard to say goodbye. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend such precious time with them.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our teachers, who worked tirelessly to make this program a success. I would also like to thank all parents and guardians for their understanding, cooperation, and warm support. Thank you very much.